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Straight No Chaser (group)

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 2604:2d80:a60c:dd00:5d90:6f2b:8941:18ef (talk) at 02:00, 19 September 2022 (Charlie Mechling has stepped down from the group, so I moved him to the "Past Members" section.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For the collegiate group formerly known as Straight No Chaser, see Another Round (group).
For other uses, see Straight No Chaser.
Straight No Chaser
OriginIndiana, United States
GenresA cappella
Years active1996 (1996)–2000 (2000)
2008 (2008)–present
LabelsAtlantic Records
MembersRandy Stine
Michael Luginbill
Steve Morgan
Jerome Collins
Walter Chase
Sargon Isho
Tyler Trepp
Jasper Smith
Freedom Young
Past membersDonald Nottingham
Dan Ponce
Ryan Ahlwardt
Mike Itkoff
Patrick Hachey
David Roberts
Charlie Mechling
Websitesncmusic.com

Straight No Chaser (SNC) is a professional American a cappella group that originated in 1996 at Indiana University. Originally a student group at Indiana University, they recorded a video in 1998 of a comical version of "The 12 Days of Christmas". The founding members all graduated, to be replaced by other students, in 1999. In 2007, the 1998 video went viral on YouTube, and subsequently led to a reunion of the founding members and a five-album record deal with Atlantic Records in 2008. The YouTube video has been viewed over 24 million times.[1]

The group continues as a student-run a cappella group at Indiana University (until 2012 under the same name, and since 2012 under a new name), though there is also a touring and recording group that performs together professionally. All members of the professional group have been members of the student group prior to joining. The professional group currently consists of founding members, Jerome Collins (tenor), Randy Stine (bass), Charlie Mechling (bass), Walter Chase (tenor), and Steve Morgan (tenor), joined by Mike Luginbill (tenor, joined 2008), Seggie Isho (baritone, joined 2009), Tyler Trepp (tenor, joined 2009), and Jasper Smith (baritone, joined 2020). Prior professional members include David Roberts (2008–2019), Dan Ponce (2008–2010), Mike Itkoff (2008–2009), Ryan Ahlwardt (2008–2012), and Donald Nottingham (2010–2017).

History

The group formed in 1996 at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Dan Ponce, Randy Stine, Charlie Mechling, Steve Morgan, Jerome Collins, Dave Roberts, Walter Chase, Mike Itkoff, and Patrick Hachey became Straight No Chaser. Their name was inspired by the title track of Thelonious Monk's 1967 album, Straight, No Chaser, and is a conscious evocation of the popular American slang phrase often employed in requesting a drink.

SNC's debut was at a 36-hour dance marathon.[2] The original members performed at Chicago's Wrigley Field, Comiskey Park and Navy Pier, opened for Lou Rawls and even toured the country, playing such venues as Carnegie Hall.[3] The original 10 remained together from 1996 until 1999 when new students were selected to replace the graduating members. Straight No Chaser continued to exist as a collegiate group.

When the original group reformed, both groups continued to exist under the name Straight No Chaser. In April 2012, the collegiate group changed its name to Another Round, taken from the name of an earlier CD that was released by the group.[4]

Viral video and reunion of founding members

In April 2006, a video recording of the group's performance of "The 12 Days of Christmas", filmed on December 7, 1998, at the Musical Arts Center in Bloomington, Indiana, was posted on YouTube. The song was an adaptation of a 1968 comic arrangement of the song by Richard C. Gregory, a faculty member of The Williston Northampton School, for his a cappella group, the Williston Caterwaulers.[5][better source needed] SNC added their own touches, including songs like "I Have a Little Dreidel" and Toto's "Africa".[3] It has received over 24 million views. After viewing the video himself, Craig Kallman, CEO of Atlantic Records, called Randy Stine, who posted the video, and asked if the group would consider reuniting to record a new album.

In July 2008, eight original SNC members—Dan Ponce, Randy Stine, Charlie Mechling, Steve Morgan, Jerome Collins, Dave Roberts, Walter Chase, and Mike Itkoff, along with 2000–03 SNC members Mike Luginbill and Ryan Ahlwardt—recorded a Christmas album, Holiday Spirits, in Bloomington, Indiana. After appearances on TNT's Christmas in Washington, Fox's Fox & Friends, and NBC's Today on December 22, 2008, Holiday Spirits became the #1 selling album on both the iTunes and Amazon.com charts.

Lineup changes, recordings, and tours

On August 18, 2009, SNC announced that Michael Itkoff and Steve Morgan had decided to step down from the group to spend more time with their families. SNC replaced them with Seggie Isho, originally from Rochester Hills, Michigan, and Tyler Trepp, originally from Urbandale, Iowa. Both Isho and Trepp were members of the collegiate SNC group at Indiana University: Isho 2003–05, and Trepp 2003–07.

SNC taped a live concert special in New York City during the summer of 2009 that was aired nationally for several years on PBS stations during their pledge drives as a Christmas special, and again in the spring and summer, excluding the Christmas songs but including six not-seen-before pop songs.

On August 31, 2009, Straight No Chaser released an EP of six songs, titled Six Pack, continuing the band's tradition of album titles that engage the symbolism of bar-tending themes. On November 3, 2009, they released their second Christmas album, Christmas Cheers co-produced with Deke Sharon, and they released their first non-Christmas album, With a Twist, in April 2010. The album includes a song featuring Barry Manilow. In April 2010, the group performed a TV theme song medley on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. In mid-2010, the group performed 40 shows at Harrah's Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Don Nottingham replaced Dan Ponce in September 2010 when Dan decided to return to television journalism in Chicago. Their 2010 fall tour was a 75-city tour of the United States, Canada, and the UK and featured their box-set titled All I Want For Christmas, which featured their two holiday albums and a DVD of their PBS special, Live in New York.

In 2011, Straight No Chaser took a break from their extensive touring to return to Harrah's Casino in Atlantic City for a 52-show summer residency with a show, Back to the Shore: Songs Through the Decades and More.[6] In October 2011, Straight No Chaser released a follow up to the Six Pack EP with Six Pack Vol. II. In December 2012, Ryan Ahlwardt left the group and Steve Morgan rejoined the group the following month.

In May 2013, the group released its fourth album on Atlantic Records entitled Under the Influence. The deluxe version of the album is 17 tracks, eight of which feature guest artists Sara Bareilles, Phil Collins, Elton John, Jason Mraz, Dolly Parton, Seal, Rob Thomas, and Stevie Wonder. The group released a holiday EP in 2013, titled Under the Influence: Holiday Edition including "Wonderful Christmastime", a track with Paul McCartney. The group released a new Christmas track in 2014 entitled "Text Me Merry Christmas" featuring singer-actress Kristen Bell.

The group sang "Back Home Again in Indiana" for the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500.[7] In October 2015, the group released the album The New Old Fashioned. A year later, in October 2016, the group released I'll Have Another... Christmas Album. In May 2017, Don Nottingham left the group to spend more time with his family.

In November 2018, the group released One Shot. The album tells the group's story from 1996 to 2018 through song. It includes interludes between tracks explaining and reminiscing about highlights in group history.

Dave Roberts left the group and was replaced by Jasper Smith shortly before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020. The group released Social Christmasing in November of that year. In fall of 2021, they embarked on a three-month tour through January 2022, and a second spring tour was also scheduled from March-April 2022.[8]

Awards

In 2009, Atlantic Records SNC won the CARA award for Best Holiday Album (Holiday Spirits)[9] and was nominated for Best Holiday Song ("Carol Of The Bells" on Holiday Spirits).[10]

Discography

Albums

Title Album details Chart positions
US
[11]
Holiday Spirits 46
Christmas Cheers
  • Released: 2009
  • Label: Atlantic
 38
With a Twist
  • Released: 2010
  • Label: Atlantic
 29
Under the Influence
  • Released: May 2013
  • Reissued: November 18, 2014
  • Label: Atlantic
 28
The New Old Fashioned
  • Released: October 2015
  • Label: Atlantic
 64
I'll Have Another... Christmas Album
  • Released: October 2016
  • Label: Atlantic
 47
One Shot
  • Released: November 2, 2018
  • Label: Atlantic
 —
Social Christmasing
  • Released: November 6, 2020
  • Label: SNC Records
 —

Extended plays

Title Extended play details Chart positions
US
[11]
Six Pack
  • Released: 2009
  • Label: Atlantic
 193
Six Pack: Volume 2
  • Released: 2020
  • Label: Atlantic
 —
Under the Influence: Holiday Edition[12]
  • Released: October 29, 2013
  • Reissued: November 18, 2014
  • Label: Atlantic
 33
Six Pack: Volume 3[13]
  • Released: July 21, 2017
  • Label: Atlantic
 —
Open Bar
  • Released: November 15, 2019
  • Label: SNC Records
 —

Songs

Title Year Album
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town 2008 Holiday Spirits
Jingle Bell Rock 2008 Holiday Spirits
The Christmas Song 2008 Holiday Spirits
This Christmas 2008 Holiday Spirits
Christmas Wish 2008 Holiday Spirits
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / Angels We Have Heard On High 2008 Holiday Spirits
Little Saint Nick 2008 Holiday Spirits
The 12 Days of Christmas - Live 2008 Holiday Spirits
Indiana Christmas 2008 Holiday Spirits
Sweet Little Jesus Boy 2008 Holiday Spirits
Christmas ( Baby Please Come Home) 2008 Holiday Spirits
Carol of the Bells 2008 Holiday Spirits
Silent Night 2008 Holiday Spirits
Auld Lang Syne 2008 Holiday Spirits
That's Why We Celebrate 2018 Holiday Spirits - 10th Anniversary Edition
The 12 Days of Christmas (2018 Remix) [Live] 2018 Holiday Spirits - 10th Anniversary Edition
The Christmas Can-Can 2009 Christmas Cheers (Deluxe)
We Three Kings 2009 Christmas Cheers (Deluxe)
Christmastime Is Here 2009 Christmas Cheers (Deluxe)
Let It Snow 2009 Christmas Cheers (Deluxe)
Donda Esta Santa Claus 2009 Christmas Cheers (Deluxe)
I'll Be Home for Christmas 2009 Christmas Cheers (Deluxe)
Hey Santa! 2009 Christmas Cheers (Deluxe)
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer 2009 Christmas Cheers (Deluxe)
You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch 2009 Christmas Cheers (Deluxe)
Who Spiked the EggNog? 2009 Christmas Cheers (Deluxe)
The 12 Days Of Christmas 2009 Christmas Cheers (Deluxe)
Rehab - EP Version 2009 Christmas Cheers (Deluxe)
I'm Yours / Somewhere over the Rainbow 2010 With a Twist (Deluxe)

References

  1. ^ Randy of Straight No Chaser, Straight No Chaser - The 12 Days of Christmas (original from 1998), retrieved 2019-01-29
  2. ^ "snc". Php.indiana.edu. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  3. ^ a b Mickey Rapkin (October 3, 2008). "The acappella Group Straight No Chaser - Reunited Singers, Recently Discovered and Replete With a Five-Album Contrac". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  4. ^ "Student Groups". University of Indiana. Archived from the original on 8 May 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
  5. ^ "Who is Dick Gregory?". Pitch Perfect: The Quest For Collegiate A Cappella Glory. Virgin Atlantic Records. 3 October 2008.
  6. ^ "Atlantic City Hotel & Casino - Harrah's Resort Atlantic City". Archived from the original on 2011-10-07.
  7. ^ Cavin, Curt (June 8, 2015). "Back Home Again". Autoweek. 65 (11): 49.
  8. ^ "Straight No Chaser tour dates". SNC Music. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  9. ^ CASA: the Contemporary A Cappella Society. "2009 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award Winners". Retrieved 28 February 2010.
  10. ^ CASA: the Contemporary A Cappella Society. "2009 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award Nominees". Retrieved 28 February 2010.
  11. ^ a b "Straight No Chaser > Chart History > Billboard 200". Billboard.
  12. ^ Destra, Yohana (October 21, 2013). "Stream: Straight No Chaser's new holiday EP". USA Today. Gannett.
  13. ^ "Straight No Chaser Open Another SIX PACK at the Fabulous Fox Theatre this November". Broadway World. May 15, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
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